South Korea Passport
South Korea Passport Photo Requirements — 35×45mm, Head 32–36mm
South Korea passport photo rules: 35×45mm, head 32–36mm, white background. Korea does not accept a photo whose background was removed by editing, so we explain the rules and do not make this photo.
Last updated Oct 8, 2026
Verified against the official source · Oct 7, 2026South Korea Passport Photo Specifications
The Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) uses a 35×45mm biometric photo standard with a notably tall head height — 32–36mm — making it stricter than many other ICAO standards. Photos are typically captured at a passport office or accredited studio.
- Size: 35×45mm (413×531px at 300 DPI).
- Background: plain white. No shadows, patterns, or colour gradients.
- Head height: 32–36mm chin to crown (71–80% of image height) — taller than most countries.
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at the camera.
- No glasses, no tinted lenses.
- Hair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or jawline.
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
Korean Passport vs K-ETA Photo — They Differ
The Korean passport photo is printed in physical 35×45mm format, while the K-ETA online application accepts a 700×700px square JPEG under 100KB. Use the right tool for the right form.
- Korean passport — 35×45mm at 300 DPI for print and submission at a passport office.
- K-ETA — square 700×700px JPEG under 100KB for online upload.
- Both share the same background, expression, and no-glasses rules.
Top Reasons Korean Passport Photos Get Rejected
Korean passport photo checks are strict about head size and expression.
- Head too small in the frame — must reach 32–36mm.
- Smiling or visible teeth.
- Glasses or tinted contact lenses.
- Hair covering eyebrows or jawline.
- Heavy makeup or filters changing facial features.
- Background not pure white.
Why We Do Not Make This Photo
The Korean passport office's page for online photo files lists, among the photos it does not accept, one whose background is not white or whose background colour was removed with a photo-editing program. Replacing the background is how an online photo maker works, so we do not offer one for the Korean passport.
- Take the photo against a real white background, or have it taken at a studio.
- Online reissue file: JPG, 500KB or less, 413×531 pixels recommended (395–431 × 507–550 accepted).
- The head must come to 32–36mm from the crown to the chin when printed at 35×45mm.
- A photo squashed or stretched by editing is also refused.
Photo Examples
Pass example
Correct photo
Common rejection risk
Incorrect photo
How South Korea Passport compares to similar documents
Every figure below is read from the same rule profiles this checker validates against, so it says what actually differs rather than what sounds different.
The same specification
A photo that passes for South Korea Passport meets the same measurable requirements as Australia Passport, UAE (Dubai) Visa, Japan Passport, Italy Schengen Visa, Spain Schengen Visa and Taiwan Passport. Size, head height and background are identical; check each portal's own file-size limit before uploading.
What changes for nearby documents
- China Visa wants 33×48mm, not 35×45mm; head fills 58–69% of the frame, not 71–80%; file limit 120 KB, not 500 KB.
- India Visa wants 600×600px, not 35×45mm; head fills 50–69% of the frame, not 71–80%; file limit 300 KB, not 500 KB.
- Thailand Visa wants 472×709px, not 35×45mm; head fills 65–75% of the frame, not 71–80%; file limit 200 KB, not 500 KB.
- New Zealand Passport wants 900×1200px, not 35×45mm; head fills 64–76% of the frame, not 71–80%; file limit 5000 KB, not 500 KB.
Frequently Asked Questions
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